This is awkward. Wei Hongquan did want to ask him to release those eleven exploration personnel, but before he could say anything, Xu Chunliang blocked him, damn it! You don’t treat people like this. When did I ask you to release the people immediately?

Lu Qi and Li Zhong stared coldly at Wei Hongquan, who felt on pins and needles. Even though he was from the law enforcement supervision division, his authority was not nearly as formidable or powerful as theirs.

Lu Qi said, "Section Chief Wei, can you explain your relationship with these suspects?"

Wei Hongquan quickly shook his head: "I have no relationship with them. I am merely here on behalf of the bureau to find out what’s really happening. Those people are not from our bureau; they work for the Ecological Environment Construction Investment Group."

He realized the situation was getting more serious. Xu Chunliang wasn’t wrong. At times like these, it’s better not to get mixed up in the mess. He didn’t know Yan Fangming and his group and couldn’t guarantee all eleven were law-abiding citizens. If even one or a few were indeed involved in crime, wouldn’t the Natural Resources Administration Bureau be implicated?

Perceiving the unfavorable situation, Wei Hongquan hurriedly made his exit: "Well, you all seem busy. I’ve got things to do, so I’ll be on my way."

To his surprise, this time Xu Chunliang personally saw him to the door. Wei Hongquan said, "No need to see me out, no need!"

Xu Chunliang whispered, "I heard that Yan Fangming is Director Xie’s brother-in-law. Any truth to that?"

Wei Hongquan laughed awkwardly: "Uh... I’m not sure about that." He didn’t dare to say more, fearing that the more he said, the more mistakes he might make. He quickly left the office building.

Downstairs, Wei Hongquan wiped the cold sweat off his forehead with his arm, secretly marveling at this young man’s prowess. Yan Fangming really didn’t know what trouble he was inviting. Why did he have to provoke him?

Just then, he saw a group of familiar faces approaching. In the middle was Xiao Dong, the deputy director of the East State City Cultural Relics Bureau. Wei Hongquan wanted to avoid them, but Xiao Dong had already spotted him and greeted him, "Old Wei, you’re here too."

Wei Hongquan had no choice but to face them head-on: "Director Xiao, when did you arrive?"

Xiao Dong smiled and said, "Just arrived." He was accompanied by three experts from the Cultural Relics Bureau, and they were being hosted by Deputy Secretary He Qiweng.

Wei Hongquan sighed inwardly, setting aside the hierarchy; why does it feel like the Cultural Relics Bureau has more presence than his own bureau? This was the first time he felt the Natural Resources Administration Bureau had such a low standing in the organization. No wonder many local residents had never heard of it.

However, he quickly understood the truth. It wasn’t about the nature of the organization; they were likely being dragged down by the Ecological Environmental Investment Group people. Now that Yan Fangming’s group were all suspects, their bureau, being the dispatching party of the exploration project, was inevitably affected. He couldn’t help but wonder, if the people from Ecological Environment Construction Investment Group really did something illegal, someone in the bureau would have to take the fall. Director Xie Zhongxin? Probably not, since he hadn’t shown up at all. He suddenly had a revelation, "Damn it, no wonder they sent me over; perhaps they were preparing for me to take the fall."

Xiao Dong asked, "What’s the situation exactly?"

Wei Hongquan forced a smile: "I don’t know, but it’s probably a misunderstanding."

Xiao Dong said, "Our two units actually have similar work natures, so we must remain vigilant and be careful not to be used by criminals."

Wei Hongquan nodded, made an excuse about having other matters, and left with his mind in complete turmoil. He shouldn’t have taken on this thorny task.

Qin Zhengyang personally met with Xiao Dong, not only because Xiao Dong was the deputy director of the East State City Cultural Relics Bureau but also because he was the director of the Dongzhou City Museum. Furthermore, he was Qin Zhengyang’s senior from Nanjiang Normal University, Qin Zhengyang having graduated from the Law School and Xiao Dong being a top student from the History Department.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two went to a small meeting room to meet with investigators sent by the city bureau. They discussed the upcoming work arrangements, aiming to strike a balance between the investigation and the archaeological work to ensure cooperation rather than interference.

Throughout, Xu Chunliang acted very quietly, pretending as if nothing was happening. Qin Zhengyang was well aware that the rapid escalation and significant impact of this incident were all due to Xu Chunliang’s actions. After the coordination meeting ended, he called Xu Chunliang into his office.

Xu Chunliang knew Qin Zhengyang must have a headache now and smiled: "Secretary Qin, you really have great foresight, those guys from Ecological Environment Construction Investment Group really aren’t good people."

Qin Zhengyang said, "Cut the flattery. I asked you to coordinate all parties well, but I didn’t expect you to stir up a criminal case."

Xu Chunliang said, "I didn’t expect it either. I thought they were genuinely conducting exploration for the hot springs. Unexpectedly, they were using the guise of exploration to loot relics—absolutely despicable. This time we must handle them severely and strictly. Rest assured, I will trace their roots and strive to capture everyone involved."

Qin Zhengyang, amused and exasperated, said, "The situation isn’t conclusive yet; don’t be too quick to label people."

Xu Chunliang said, "Isn’t it obvious? They found a tunnel for stealing relics at the exploration site."

Qin Zhengyang said, "I’m not a fool. Who can dig such a long tunnel in one day? It doesn’t make any sense. That tunnel must have been there for a long time."

Xu Chunliang chuckled, and Qin Zhengyang helplessly pointed at him, "You’re too sly. Although the people from the Ecological Environmental Investment Group are annoying, we still need to handle this matter fairly and justly."

Xu Chunliang replied, "We’re just controlling the suspects. Whether they did it or not is for the police to determine."

Qin Zhengyang thought to himself that this would completely offend the Natural Resources Administration Bureau. His phone rang, and he glanced at the number and quickly answered the call, gesturing to Xu Chunliang not to speak nearby.

The call was from Secretary Lin, the top official of Weishan County. The matter had already reached Secretary Lin, and while he didn’t specifically plead for anyone, he reminded Qin Zhengyang to handle the matter carefully, fairly, and according to the law, and not to strain relationships with the relevant departments. He hinted that the issue had already alerted a senior figure in Dongzhou.

Qin Zhengyang cautiously chatted with Secretary Lin for a while, and after ending the call, the smile on his face gradually disappeared. He looked at Xu Chunliang and said, "Chunliang, that’s enough. Blowing this up too much won’t do us any good."

Xu Chunliang nodded, "I understand."

"What do you understand?"

Xu Chunliang smiled, "I got the gist of it."

Lu Qi and Li Zhong went to the scene to investigate and inquired about the situation at the time. They quickly ruled out the exploration team’s suspicion. As Qin Zhengyang said, there wasn’t enough time; the tunnel wasn’t dug by them. They just happened to uncover it when the ground collapsed during their exploration.

However, the handling by the local police couldn’t be said to be wrong either. Protecting the scene and controlling the suspects were appropriate and proper measures.

After Yan Fangming was cleared of suspicion, the first thing he did was complain to the police about Xu Chunliang. During the enforcement, Xu Chunliang slapped him across the face and kicked him several times, which many people witnessed.

Lu Qi stated that this kind of thing wasn’t under their jurisdiction and advised him to contact the local police station, reminding him that many people were hitting them at the time, making it hard to gather evidence.

While Yan Fangming was persistently complaining at the police station, Wei Hongquan came to pick him up and urged him to leave quickly, as instructed by Director Xie Zhongxin.

Although Yan Fangming heeded the advice, he was still indignant after leaving the police station, "What makes a small-time vice mayor so special? He slapped me in public. I can’t swallow this."

Wei Hongquan thought to himself that a strong dragon can’t repress a snake in its own territory. You were all arrested as suspected cultural relic thieves, yet you don’t learn any lesson? Wei Hongquan knew Yan Fangming was a prickly character, and his visit here was all arranged by Xie Zhongxin. After arriving in Hu Shan Town, he was coldly received, and no one took him seriously as the section chief supervising law enforcement. Fortunately, in the end, they were vindicated, and the people were quickly released, providing an explanation to Xie Zhongxin.

Wei Hongquan said, "Director Xie’s intention is for you to pause the exploration and wait until this matter is clarified."

Yan Fangming said, "Brother Wei, the whole thing was orchestrated by Xu Chunliang. Even a blind person can see it. He engaged in backdoor deals, awarding the brewery contract to his people. Our group affected his vital interests, so he set us up. This person is too malicious, falsely accusing us of excavating relics, pushing us to the brink."

Wei Hongquan said, "Didn’t the public security clear your name? Let it go. The tunnel couldn’t have been his doing. It was just a coincidence that the area collapsed, and you happened to be there."

Yan Fangming said, "So you’re saying we deserved it, and we were just unlucky?"

Wei Hongquan shook his head, unable to explain it to this kid, nor did he want to.

At this moment, Yan Fangming’s subordinate came over to hand him his phone. Previously, the police station had confiscated it, and they just completed the formalities to retrieve it. Yan Fangming’s phone kept ringing; it was He Xingjian, the CEO of the Ecological Environmental Investment Group, calling.

Yan Fangming answered the call and greeted, "Brother Jian."

He Xingjian asked where he was, as it turned out he had also arrived at Weishan Island. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Upon hearing the CEO’s arrival, Yan Fangming immediately felt more confident and hurried to the dock to meet him.

Observing the situation, Wei Hongquan sensed that the Ecological Environmental Investment Group wasn’t going to let things slide. For some reason, he had an ominous feeling. Although it was his first time meeting Xu Chunliang, Xu Chunliang gave off the impression of being difficult to deal with. After some thought, he decided to call Xie Zhongxin to report the situation on Weishan Island, determined to report everything to Xie Zhongxin, big or small, and recorded the entire call.

Harm no one, but be wary of others. In case this matter escalates, he must guard against being made the scapegoat by the bureau.